Women4Africa 2013 Winners

FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

WINNER

AMANDA RABOR (NIGERIA/TRINIDAD)

Isossy Children is truly Amanda’s calling. It’s a creative calling but far more than that, it’s a calling to promote diversity and global clothing for kids. The label incorporates African, Asian and Western cultures to create contemporary clothing that all children can wear. The inspiration is transcending cultural barriers and opening it up for all children. Amanda believes that it is empowering for children to see African prints in their day-to-day expression and in turn it promotes inclusion and understanding.

Amanda designs all the pieces and is part of the complete design process which has been very important as it’s a reflection of her creativity and growth. She uses plenty of African Ankara designs from West Africa as well as batiks from Thailand and India.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

WINNER

DR NKEM THOMPSON (NIGERIA)

Dr Kem has a passion for imparting knowledge, and finds that public speaking is one of the best ways of doing so. She’s delivered speeches on various platforms: as guest speaker at events, or by running seminars of her own. She also delivers presentations online via Teleseminars and Webinars. Her dynamic presentations always leave her listeners wanting more.

MEDIA PROFESSIONAL

WINNER

JOANNA ABEYIE (GHANA)

Joanna Abeyie, 24, is a full time entertainment/showbiz journalist, currently working at Cosmopolitan Magazine and founder of Shine Media, a social enterprise that aims to increase diversity within the journalism industry. Joanna had successfully worked for and had her articles published in over 30 print publications after starting her professional writing career at the tender age of 17. Joanna had written for included The Times online, a number of BBC magazine titles, Now, Cosmopolitan, Look, Closer, Heat, Woman, Radio Times, Sky mag, Xcel magazine, Pride, The Voice, Fabulous magazine, Celebs on Sunday, Best, Real People and Reveal to name a few.

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

WINNER

ATITI SOSIMI (NIGERIA)

As a parent, lecturer and educator in pursuit of a PhD just completing an MA in Learning and Teaching for Higher Education; Atiti keenly supports the inertia to ensure reform and inclusivity in Education resulting in her quest to make learning more stimulating, creative and engaging. Currently Atiti is exploring, researching and applying alternative methods of teaching and learning to her practice paying particular attention to applying learning technologies such as Augmented Reality, Systems Response Technology, Gameplay and Animation.

ROLE MODEL

WINNER

JUSTINA MUTALE (ZAMBIA)

JUSTINA MUTALE is one of the most influential and inspirational women of African origin in the world. Among other things, Justina is a mega award-winning celebrity PR Maven; Social Entrepreneur; humanist; philanthropist; philosopher; and HIV/AIDS & Human Rights Activist. Justina serves as Patron, Ambassador, Trustee and Board Member of several humanitarian, community and charitable organizations in the UK and overseas.

Among other enterprises, Justina is the Founder & CEO of the multi-award winning, global organisation POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread, a worldwide HIV/AIDS response campaign with presence in over 50 countries, spanning 6 continents spread across the globe. POSITIVE RUNWAY is listed in the top 100 major and leading development organizations in the UK under the IF Campaign.

AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

WINNER

SUSAN POPOOLA (NIGERIA)

Susan Popoola has successfully written and published two books: Touching The Heart of Milton Keynes (now in it’s Second Edition) and Consequences: Diverse to Mosaic Britain.
Susan also blogs on Human Resources (HR) subjects from Business, Community and Global Perspectives for a number of publications aligned to her work and experiences in HR, Social Enterprise, Community and Education.
Susan is known for writing that takes readers on reflective journeys as she tackles challenging subjects and presents them in a simple form that makes her writing accessible.

BLOGGER OF THE YEAR

WINNER

MINNA SALAMI (NIGERIA)

Minna Salami is the founder & editor of the multiple award-nominated blog MsAfropolitan.
Since its 2010 launch, MsAfropolitan, a blog featuring sharp analytical musings on African feminism, race relations and pop culture has steadily established itself as the no.1 African feminist-orientated personal blog on the Internet. Minna has been listed as one of “40 African changemakers under 40” by Applause Africa, she was shortlisted for a ‘Blogger of the Year’-award in 2012 in RED Magazine Red’s Hot Women Awards.

Minna is a speaker at the Southbank Centre, the University of Warwick, the University of Northampton (keynote), Channel 4, the V&A museum to name a few.
Her writing and commentary can be found on The Guardian where she is a contributor to the Guardian Africa Network, CNN.com, Huffington Post, and The Independent.

YOUNG ACHIEVER

WINNER

SHEILA OCEN (UGANDA)

Sheila Ocen is currently a student at the University of Surrey, studying a BA in English Literature. She is project manager and founding member of Christian Professional Network UK, a former President of the leading Christian Union society at Surrey University, leading 100+ members, in which she lead a team of 10, in fundraising, leading campus meetings, speaking at events for younger women in and around London, hosting 4 events over 8 months, and training the incoming leaders.

Sheila is the founder and director of Signature S.O a food business, that offers catering, and cooking classes, and The Sweet Safari Sauce. In 2010 Sheila’s passion against poverty led her to independently raise £1000 to work out in Ghana with families struck by the poverty of Africa.

UK HUMANITARIAN

WINNER

KEMI WILLIAMS (NIGERIA)

Kemi is also the founder of a United Kingdom registered charity called Yeshua’s Arm for disadvantaged individuals and groups in 2004. Kemi runs Yeshua’s Arm tirelessly as a trustee and a volunteer Co-ordinator whilst continuing her hectic social work role. She often used her annual leave to run the organisation, training staff and visiting beneficiaries in Africa. Kemi’s passion lies in child protection in African communities in the UK and Africa. She strongly believes that effective child protection starts with prevention through awareness raising and training in community groups.

Kemi has written a book to be published in March 2013 titled ‘African Parents Must Know’ Child Protection and Welfare Issues in the United Kingdom. It is a comprehensive 230 page book-the only one of its kind aimed at being a one-stop information/reference material for African and other migrant parents and those working with them.

INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN

WINNER

ANGELINA NAMIBA (KENYA)

Originally from Kenya, I am a single mother of a 14 year old girl. I have over 13 years’ experience of working in the HIV sector on initiatives ranging from providing one-to-one support to people living with HIV; managing service provision to facilitating, promoting and advocating for the involvement of women living with HIV in forming and informing local and national strategy and policy.

As a woman living with HIV for more than a decade, I am passionate about advocating for the sexual health and reproductive rights of women living with HIV. I currently manage the project From Pregnancy to Baby and Beyond with Positively UK. This is aimed at providing a sustainable model of education, information, emotional and practical support, for women living with HIV through ante to post natal care.

OUTSTANDING MOTHER OF THE YEAR

WINNER

ADEBISI OSUNDEKO (NIGERIA)

Adebisi is a mother who has faced a lot of adversities yet she constantly seeks to help other mothers and vulnerable children. Her two children were born with serious disabilities. A DFID scholar and a graduate of marine sciences from the university of Lagos and Masters in environmental sciences from the university of Nottingham but as a carer of two disabled children, she had to place the needs of my children first hence she decided not to go the way of a structured 9-5 typical job. So she got involved with several charities relevant to my children needs and during the process started a coffee morning for other local parents with special needs children.

OUTSTANDING MOTHER OF THE YEAR

WINNER

JILLIAN McCALLA (GRENADA)

Jillian decided to adopt not one but two siblings both of African parentage. Being a mother to her two children brings her such joy. The love, care, kind heart, warmth and everything else that she has to give is what makes her the mother that she is today. Her children are her joy.

CAREER WOMAN

WINNER

MARY ANNE ANDERSON (SOUTH AFRICA)

Mary-Anne Anderson is the chairperson of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the UK (the Chamber), was instrumental in its establishment, as well as in its launch in June 2012. Her position as chairperson is a pro bono engagement taken on in addition to a full-time job, on which Mary-Anne comments: “It’s the very least that I can do, to ‘pay it forward’ and elevate Africa’s standing in the international business community. We are all ambassadors for our continent and we need to leverage our positions for the benefit of others.”

MAKE UP ARTIST

WINNER

FUNMI ODEGBAMI (NIGERIA)

Funmi Odegbami is the CEO of MiNK London, founder of Makeup Show Live, a member of the Black Women in Europe Power list, and an internationally renowned makeup artist.

Having worked and trained with some of the most prestigious names in the world of makeup and beauty, Funmi established herself as a major player in the field. Her impressive portfolio includes work on the catwalk, editorial, TV, music videos, events, celebrities and more. Funmi has developed a unique ability to improve, enhance and alter appearances with a set of clandestine makeup tools and techniques. Her creative sense is phenomenal; her technique is impeccable; and her ability to translate this into easy to follow step by step guides is unmatchable.

BUSINESS WOMAN

WINNER

NELEEN STRAUSS (SOUTH AFRICA)

In the last four years, Neleen Strauss has built up London’s leading South African restaurant, High Timber, from scratch – during perhaps the toughest economic period in the history of London’s restaurant scene. High Timber has come through two recessions, doing better than many competitors, and the restaurant has achieved significant recognition amongst opinion formers and food and wine writers; it received a Michelin listing after just nine months of trading. Neleen has built a successful business with a strong focus on South African wines in the most competitive restaurant industry in the UK, possibly the world.

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN

WINNER

NOELLA COURSARIS (DR OF CONGO)

Malaika Noella Coursaris Musunka is an international model and the founder of the Georges Foundation.
In 2011, the GMF School for Girls opened in Kalebuka, DRC, providing free tuition, school supplies, uniforms and two healthy meals per day for the 152 girls enrolled. GMF, in collaboration with the VOSS Foundation, built two wells in the local area, one for the school, and second well for the wider community, which impacts 8000 people annually.

GMF’s latest project is a partnership with FIFA to build a community center that will function as a base for sports, health, education and enterprise to help Kalebuka. With the exception of the locally hired teachers and support staff, GMF is wholly maintained by unpaid experts and volunteers who offer a wide range of skills.
This category was sponsored by Consulting4london www.consulting4london.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN

WINNER

FEBISOLA OKONKWO (NIGERIA)

Help for Mankind Initiative otherwise known as HELP INITIATIVE is a non-governmental organization with head office in Ibadan Oyo State Nigeria founded by Febisola.
Help Initiative was incorporated with a mission to help many less privileged young people to achieve meaningful and productive living. Our beneficiaries include graduates of Higher Institutions, Orphanages, Rehabilitation and Skill acquisition centers who are already integrated into the society.

Our Mission statement is: Touching Vulnerable young lives for Transformation.
We have been positively affecting lives for the past eight years as over 1000 young people have had their needs met. These needs are the basic necessities of life and they include: Education, Health, Nutrition, Protection and Psychosocial support.

INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN WOMAN (NIGERIA)

WINNER

HON. ABIKE DABIRI-EREWA (NIGERIA)

Hon Abike Dabiri is a third time member of the Nigerian House of Representatives. Elected in 2003 to represent the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Lagos. She has served as Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs from 2007-2011, and as Chairman Diaspora affairs from 2007 to 2011, and 2011 till date. In the 6th National Assembly, she championed the FOI bill and ensured the Bill was passed into law.

It is noteworthy to mention some of the other bills she has sponsored which include- Nigerian Infant Welfare Scheme Bill, Nigeria with Disabilities Bill, Nigeria Press Council Bill, Nigeria Diaspora Commission Bill, An Act to Eliminate Violence in Private and Public Life and A Bill to Promote the Advancement of Nigerian Women and Girls.

INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN WOMAN (LIBERIA)

WINNER

TONIA DABWE (LIBERIA)

Tonia is passionate about fairness, a firm believer in the power of individuals to change their destiny, and a strong supporter of micro loans. Having been raised with the conviction that everyone should give back, she volunteers her language skills and works on increasing exposure for small NGOs, including Mineke Foundation. Last September, she was part of a committee representing Deventer NGOs at a charity dinner honoring archbishop Desmond Tutu. She’s also involved in an attempt to bring perpetrators of war crimes in Liberia to justice, hoping that by doing so, Liberia’s voiceless victims will be heard.

SPECIAL AFRICAN WOMAN RECOGNITION AWARD

WINNER

DR JOE OKEI ODUMAKIN (NIGERIA)

Recently awarded ‘International Woman Of Courage’ award in Washington by Secretary of State John Kerry and First Lady Michelle Obama is a very courageous woman. Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin has over 25years experience in human rights work in Nigeria. She cut her teeth in activism as the Secretary of Women in Nigeria (WIN), Kwara State from 1988 – 1991 and the Coordinator of Women in Nigeria (WIN), Kwara State branch 1991 – 1996; Chairperson, Rethink Nigeria (1987 – 1992) and Chairperson, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Kwara State branch (1990 – 1996).Her foray into human rights activism was at a period when the Babangida dictatorship was baring its fangs and locking up critical voices.

She became one of the targets of the administration as she was arrested and detained for not less than seventeen times at different locations: Division B Police Station Ilorin; Police Headquarters Ilorin; SSS Headquarters Ilorin; SSS HQ Maitama Abuja; Panti Police Station Lagos; Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos; and Alagbon Close in Lagos.
But her spirit was not daunted and became the Assistant General Secretary of CD in 1994 at a time the battle against the annulment of June 12 had become so fierce.

RECOGNITION AWARDS

WINNER

BEKA NSANTWISI (SOUTH AFRICA)

Beka Ntsanwisi, is a selfless, approachable and down-to-earth woman with a big heart. A cancer survivor, she is a radio presenter for Munghana Lonene SABC radio having projects that are helping the community.

Her quest for helping the needy fuels her to keep reaching out and making a difference to the desperate members of the society.

Regarded as the Mother Theresa of Limpopo by people who recognise her embracing love, Beka has at some stages personally took it upon herself to bath some of the bedridden people she visited.

WINNER

SONENI GWIZI (ZIMBABWE)

I am a dynamic disabled woman, first female disabled radio broadcaster in Zimbabwe, Motivational Speaker, Gender & Disability Activist, a Poet & 2010 media award winner for reporting on gender issues by Federation of African Media Women Zimbabwe. I host a weekly radio programme, Gender & Disability for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The programme tackles all issues concerning gender & disability issues within our society. I have not allowed my disability or society to define me by my condition. I have broken the barriers of life expectations created by society for persons with disabilities. I celebrate my life as an African woman with a disability by inspiring & impacting people across board using the media & all platforms that avail before me.

WINNER

LINDA MARY TERESA (KENYA)

19 year old Linda Mary Teresa is involved in a program that aims at empowering and developing women in the Kenyan slums particularly Huruma area.The program is termed Women Initiative For Empowerment And Development. It is a chapter under the Slumcode Group Kenya. I educate young girls on hygiene and health matters, sex education, gender related issues and also strive to develop their talents.

The young girls look up to me basing on my humble background and how I have risen to achieve my lifelong dream of being a model. I have modelled for Redd’s Africa and in several other events too. I have also worked with several organizations like the World Youth Alliance which focuses on human rights and dignity. I have a passion for women empowerment since I believe that a woman is the cornerstone in society and coming from a society where women are suppressed, I believe that we will overcome our traditions and live in the reality that a woman can do what a man can do, only she can sometimes do it better.

WINNER

ESTHER MADUDU (UGANDA)

Esther is the spokesperson for AMREF’s Stand Up for African Mothers campaign and is representing all African midwives for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015. Horrified by the high level of maternal mortality in Uganda, Esther has devoted her life to caring for pregnant women and their babies. She works as a midwife in rural Uganda, with only one colleague. Between them, they she sees over 150 mothers each week for ante-natal care and deliver 45-50 babies every month. It is estimated that Esther has saved over 1,000 lives in the course of her career.

WINNER

NOERINE KALEEBA (UGANDA)

Dr Kaleeba is a pioneer who has made a significant difference in the lives of people with AIDS and their families not only in Uganda, but also at political and strategic levels throughout the world.
In 1986, she started a support group which blossomed into a movement to address stigma, restore hope and dignity of people and families living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO Uganda). Dr Kaleeba developed TASO into a global model of HIV prevention, AIDS care and support. Through sharing her personal story, Dr Kaleeba opened the conversation on the subject which was previously taboo.

WINNER

NICE NAILANTE LENG’ETE (KENYA)

Nice, a 21 year old Maasai girl, is a true agent of change. She has braved stigma and disapproval to open up the discussion in her Maasai community on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Nice brings girls together to talk about their bodies and their rights, and to introduce an alternative rite of passage. She has already saved 150 Masai girls from FGM, and helped them go to school. Nice has been honoured for her work with an ‘oringo orok’ — a Maasai leader’s talking and walking stick — and a cultural symbol for leadership. She was recently invited to give a TEDx talk about her achievements.

WINNER

PATRICIA NZOLANTIMA (DR OF CONGO)

Patricia is the founder and Publisher of ‘International Working Lady magazine’ : International Working Lady is an upscale magazine dedicated to active African women. Those women who know how to combine family life and professional success, humanitarian involvement and femininity, action and dignity. This prestigious edition spokesperson of African women who are succeeding at home and in their professional life, will respond precisely to the active and modern women needs. The vision: An inspiration for all the African women to empower them to achieve their dreams and build their own legacy for a better Africa. International Working Lady presents the women leader’s race through Africa.